Had some friends visiting us from Singapore. While they've done the Nile Cruise and Abu Simbal, and of course, the Pyramids and the Egyptian Museum, they asked me a very pertinent question? Other than the antiquities, what are the top 10 things to do in Cairo? Not Egypt but in and around Cairo?
For a moment I was fazed! First thing that comes to your mind when someone mentions Cairo is the pyramids and the museum...that set me thinking....I am writing down what I would def like to do in and around Cairo, in random order...and these are things that I would like to do...
1/ Coffee and Sheesha at El Fishawy
2/ Tannoura at Al Ghouri
3/ Felucca ride
4/ Dinner at the revolving restaurant
5/ A day trip to Fayoum
6/ A trip into the White Dessert
7/ A night out at Darts (Heliopolis) After Eight or Budha Bar
8/ The 11 pm to 4 am show with Dina at Semiramis
9/
10/
Cannot think of the balance two which does not include the antiquities... needs some thought!
Anybody who is reading this and has suggestions, would love to hear your top 10 things to do...I have this nagging feeling that there is something very obvious that I am missing out!
Showing posts with label fun. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fun. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
Wedding fun or tradition?
Was driving to a friend's place on Road 214, listening to some music, I suddenly registered a persistent honking. Thinking that maybe I had blocked traffic lost in my own thoughts, I moved aside to let the car behind me pass. To my irritation, the honking continued! I lowered the window pane, and, turned around to see who was being so irritating!
To my surprise, there was a cavalcade of some 8-10 cars, with their parking lights blinking, and all of them playing the beat with their horns - beep, beep, beeeeeeeep, beep, beep! I followed rather intrigued, as they all decided to do laps around the midan after the railway tracks.
And then the penny dropped! It was a wedding procession, cos the car in front was beautifully decorated with flowers. They all kept going around in circles with the car headlights flashing and the rhythemic beat of their rather loud horns. It was quite cute, actually. I must admit, the Masrys certainly know how to enjoy themselves and have fun!
But I was wondering whether this was a one off thing or is this usually done at / after weddings?
To my surprise, there was a cavalcade of some 8-10 cars, with their parking lights blinking, and all of them playing the beat with their horns - beep, beep, beeeeeeeep, beep, beep! I followed rather intrigued, as they all decided to do laps around the midan after the railway tracks.
And then the penny dropped! It was a wedding procession, cos the car in front was beautifully decorated with flowers. They all kept going around in circles with the car headlights flashing and the rhythemic beat of their rather loud horns. It was quite cute, actually. I must admit, the Masrys certainly know how to enjoy themselves and have fun!
But I was wondering whether this was a one off thing or is this usually done at / after weddings?
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Your name in hieroglyphics!
Came across this while looking up something on hieroglyphics. This is a utility that tells you what your name would look like if it had been written in heiroglyphics!
http://www.upennmuseum.com/cgi-bin/hieroglyphsreal.cgi
Everytime I buy a cartouche for someone with their name inscribed in hieroglyphics, I wonder whether its really written correctly. Well, now I can check! Well to the extent, this utility is accurate, lol!
http://www.upennmuseum.com/cgi-bin/hieroglyphsreal.cgi
Everytime I buy a cartouche for someone with their name inscribed in hieroglyphics, I wonder whether its really written correctly. Well, now I can check! Well to the extent, this utility is accurate, lol!
Monday, December 1, 2008
Indian recipes: Butter Chicken
Have some friends who absolutely adore the Indian dish Butter Chicken, and, have been asking me to show them how to making it, sans any chillies...
So finally, yesterday, held a small class for 4 of my friends where we decided to make Butter Chicken with Naan. Needless to say, we had a lot of fun, my kitchen looked like a war zone after we were done, and, I was the only one who was not eating, since I am a vegetarian!
Now usually I do not post recipes, but they all liked it, and, asked me to post it on my blog so that they don't have to write it down, and they can direct their friends to it as well.
This is how I make my butter chicken, I sure plenty others would have different and better recipes..but everyone at home seems to like it!
Butter Chicken / Chicken Makhanwalla
Serves: 4
For Marination
750 grams of chicken cut into pieces (boneless)
3 tablespoon yoghurt
3 tablespoon lemon juice
3 teaspoon each of coriander, cumin and red chilli powders
1 onion chopped and made into a paste
4 teaspoon each of ginger, garlic pastes
salt to taste
you could add orange food colour to get that authentic look to the chicken but that’s optional. I dont usually add colour cos my husbandis allergic to soem artificial colourings
Gravy
4 large tomatoes, roasted, peeled & chopped
6 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoon fresh cream
1 teaspoon each of coriander, cumin, red chilli powders
2 teaspoon each of finely chopped ginger and green chillies (the chillies is optional)
salt and sugar to taste
melted butter, fresh cream and finely chopped coriander leaves for garnishing
Preparation
Cut chicken into medium sized pieces (slightly larger than bite sized). Make small cuts in the chicken pieces. Mix the ingredients for the marinade and coat the chicken pieces with the marinade. Let the chicken marinate for a few hours, overnight if possible. Keep it in the fridge if you are marinating overnight.
Heat 2 tablespoons butter, in a pan and put in the chicken along with the marinade. Cover and cook for about 25 minutes or till the chicken is fully cooked. After the mixture turns dry, stir fry the chicken for some time.
Roast the tomatoes on fire, then peel the skin off and chop. Alternately, you can even puree the peeled tomatoes & then use it. Its a little more cumbersome, but thats what I do.
Heat the remaining butter (4 tablespoons) in a saucepan and add the red chilli, coriander, cumin powders. Fry for a few seconds.
Add the chopped tomatoes, sugar, salt and cook uncovered on medium level for about 8-10 minutes till the puree thickens and the fat separates. Stir in the beaten cream and reduce the heat to low. You can thin the gravy a little bit by adding milk, but not too much otherwise you will loose the taste.
Add the chicken, chopped ginger and green chillies to the simmering gravy. Sprinkle salt to taste if needed. Mix well. Cover and simmer on low heat for about 10 minutes or till the curry is thoroughly heated through.
Just before serving pour melted butter over the curry. Garnish with a swirl of fresh cream and finely chopped coriander leaves.
TIP:
If you want a richer gravy, then you can add cashew nut paste (soak cashew nuts in water for an hour or so and grind them) while making the gravy - fry it along with the spice powders and then proceed as above.
So finally, yesterday, held a small class for 4 of my friends where we decided to make Butter Chicken with Naan. Needless to say, we had a lot of fun, my kitchen looked like a war zone after we were done, and, I was the only one who was not eating, since I am a vegetarian!
Now usually I do not post recipes, but they all liked it, and, asked me to post it on my blog so that they don't have to write it down, and they can direct their friends to it as well.
This is how I make my butter chicken, I sure plenty others would have different and better recipes..but everyone at home seems to like it!
Butter Chicken / Chicken Makhanwalla
Serves: 4
For Marination
750 grams of chicken cut into pieces (boneless)
3 tablespoon yoghurt
3 tablespoon lemon juice
3 teaspoon each of coriander, cumin and red chilli powders
1 onion chopped and made into a paste
4 teaspoon each of ginger, garlic pastes
salt to taste
you could add orange food colour to get that authentic look to the chicken but that’s optional. I dont usually add colour cos my husbandis allergic to soem artificial colourings
Gravy
4 large tomatoes, roasted, peeled & chopped
6 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoon fresh cream
1 teaspoon each of coriander, cumin, red chilli powders
2 teaspoon each of finely chopped ginger and green chillies (the chillies is optional)
salt and sugar to taste
melted butter, fresh cream and finely chopped coriander leaves for garnishing
Preparation
Cut chicken into medium sized pieces (slightly larger than bite sized). Make small cuts in the chicken pieces. Mix the ingredients for the marinade and coat the chicken pieces with the marinade. Let the chicken marinate for a few hours, overnight if possible. Keep it in the fridge if you are marinating overnight.
Heat 2 tablespoons butter, in a pan and put in the chicken along with the marinade. Cover and cook for about 25 minutes or till the chicken is fully cooked. After the mixture turns dry, stir fry the chicken for some time.
Roast the tomatoes on fire, then peel the skin off and chop. Alternately, you can even puree the peeled tomatoes & then use it. Its a little more cumbersome, but thats what I do.
Heat the remaining butter (4 tablespoons) in a saucepan and add the red chilli, coriander, cumin powders. Fry for a few seconds.
Add the chopped tomatoes, sugar, salt and cook uncovered on medium level for about 8-10 minutes till the puree thickens and the fat separates. Stir in the beaten cream and reduce the heat to low. You can thin the gravy a little bit by adding milk, but not too much otherwise you will loose the taste.
Add the chicken, chopped ginger and green chillies to the simmering gravy. Sprinkle salt to taste if needed. Mix well. Cover and simmer on low heat for about 10 minutes or till the curry is thoroughly heated through.
Just before serving pour melted butter over the curry. Garnish with a swirl of fresh cream and finely chopped coriander leaves.
TIP:
If you want a richer gravy, then you can add cashew nut paste (soak cashew nuts in water for an hour or so and grind them) while making the gravy - fry it along with the spice powders and then proceed as above.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
In the name of art!!
Art installation placed on a fountain in the middle of the Nile river in Cairo entitled ‘Going Bananas’ on Nov. 28. The art installation project, organized by the Austrian Cultural Forum, consisted of around 2,000 1.6 meter-long inflatable yellow bananas which were to be ejected into the river by the Nile fountain.I beleive the event did not go as planned cos os some technical hitch...
This I must go and see, if only to figure, how strange can one get in the name of art!
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Playing around with my photographs
My newest toy is a software that allows me to mess around with photographs and creating silhouttes, cartoons, sketches etc with them...
My first attempt were the most common and famous sights of Egypt! This is what it looks like! Quite nice, well, at least my 7 year old son thought so!
My first attempt were the most common and famous sights of Egypt! This is what it looks like! Quite nice, well, at least my 7 year old son thought so!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Typealyzer
Was looking up how to do some stuff on a blog on the internet, when my search threw up something which analyses your blog. I must admit it intrigued me a little. This was like "answer x number of questions and get to know more about your personality " type of stuff. But for a blog?
In all honesty, I assumed that this would take a while for someone to read and figure out what kind of blog it was, so why bother? However, as I was at a loose end, for a lark, I decided to try it out anyways!
You've got to input your blog address and hey presto, the utility throws up an analysis of your personality based on how you write your blog!, Yes, that's right!
I must admit, the response time fazed me....pages and pages of posts written over months, and it took the darned utility all of 2 seconds to analyse it!
Here is what it says about my personality...
ENTP - The Visionaries
The charming and trend savvy type. They are especially attuned to the big picture and anticipate trends. They often have sophisticated language skills and come across as witty and social. At the end of the day, however, they are pragmatic decision makers and have a good analytical abilitity. They enjoy work that lets them use their cleverness, great communication skills and knack for new exciting ventures. They have to look out not to become quitters, since they easily get bored when the creative exciting start-up phase is over.
Hmmm.. interesting! The big question - how much of it is really true? Should ask hubby dear! lol!
In all honesty, I assumed that this would take a while for someone to read and figure out what kind of blog it was, so why bother? However, as I was at a loose end, for a lark, I decided to try it out anyways!
You've got to input your blog address and hey presto, the utility throws up an analysis of your personality based on how you write your blog!, Yes, that's right!
I must admit, the response time fazed me....pages and pages of posts written over months, and it took the darned utility all of 2 seconds to analyse it!
Here is what it says about my personality...
ENTP - The Visionaries
The charming and trend savvy type. They are especially attuned to the big picture and anticipate trends. They often have sophisticated language skills and come across as witty and social. At the end of the day, however, they are pragmatic decision makers and have a good analytical abilitity. They enjoy work that lets them use their cleverness, great communication skills and knack for new exciting ventures. They have to look out not to become quitters, since they easily get bored when the creative exciting start-up phase is over.
Hmmm.. interesting! The big question - how much of it is really true? Should ask hubby dear! lol!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Gorgeous graffitti
Talk about hunting for a needle in a haystack - now I know the feeling! Went around Downtown and Dokki the whole morning in search of some graffitti! Suspect when my hubby hears this, he'll shrug his shoulders in one of those resigned gestures, lol!
However, I think the trek around town was worth the graffitti that I saw. Just check out the pictures below and then go see them in person. To me, it was certainly worth the visit! 
Goethe Institute is the headquarters for learning German in Cairo, and, operates as a cultural centre as well, organising numerous events all through the year. This year, the centre completed 50 years of its existence in Cairo, and, decided to celebrate the occassion by rolling out year long celebrations.
Goethe Institute is the headquarters for learning German in Cairo, and, operates as a cultural centre as well, organising numerous events all through the year. This year, the centre completed 50 years of its existence in Cairo, and, decided to celebrate the occassion by rolling out year long celebrations.
Four German artists of the graffiti project “Masala Movement” and two Egyptians came together in the lavish garden surrounding what used to be former East Germany’s embassy in Cairo, and, were allowed to pain the walls of the now defunct East German embassy.
The project tasked the six artists with transforming the walls of the language center (known as ‘the empty space’) into a large piece of art, and, I must admit, they have done a fabulous job.
Bright colours, bold, larger than life figures are beautifully juxtaposed against the brown stone of the walls. There are yet others that been painted at the intersection of two walls, with slatted windows in the middle, lending an interesting perspective to the graffitti!
There is a enormous worm in black and white which resmbles a dragon or an equally wild creature. Painted on the 3 walls of an alcove, its lifelike and really seems like its crawling along the walls!
Then there is a mother and child which seems to represent the connection between the two when the child is born and also when its in the womb or maybe, thats just my hyperactive imagination!
If you’re thinking about checking out their work, make sure to stop by soon.
This one is somewhat remniscent of the work of a famous Indian cartoonist called Mario Miranda.
This one is somewhat remniscent of the work of a famous Indian cartoonist called Mario Miranda.
Just a word of Caution. Goethe Institute seems to be spread all over the place 3-4 buildings. The one that you need to go to is in Dokki at 17 Road.
I, of course, finally got there after seeing practically every Goethe Institute building! The helpful guards/ counter guys at each building, enthusiastically nodded their head and said "aiwa (yes)" when I asked for graffitti. Next time, must remember to check the arabic word for "graffitti" or whatever else it is that I am going looking for!
Thursday, November 6, 2008
A Global Village
Was watching a program on MBC4, when an ad caught my attention. I had to wait for a couple of more ad breaks to see the repeat telecast of the ad.
Came back to Youtube to see if I could find the ad and I did, though, unfortunately I found only the English version of the ad! I googled for quite a while but could not find the Arabic version.
Its an ad for a toothpaste "Close-Up" - just watch it...
Ok, so what's so great about it? Nothing, except that it exemplifies what a global village the word has become!
If you watch the Arabic version, the ad shows an Indian girl romancing an European boy / Westerner in what appears to be a Chinese market, with a Hindi song in the background, and an Arabic voiceover, and, I am watching it in Egypt!
How much more global and integrated can you get?
P.S. Even though the voiceover in this ad is in English, the background score is beautiful! You need to catch the Arabic ad on MBC to appreciate what I mean!
Came back to Youtube to see if I could find the ad and I did, though, unfortunately I found only the English version of the ad! I googled for quite a while but could not find the Arabic version.
Its an ad for a toothpaste "Close-Up" - just watch it...
Ok, so what's so great about it? Nothing, except that it exemplifies what a global village the word has become!
If you watch the Arabic version, the ad shows an Indian girl romancing an European boy / Westerner in what appears to be a Chinese market, with a Hindi song in the background, and an Arabic voiceover, and, I am watching it in Egypt!
How much more global and integrated can you get?
P.S. Even though the voiceover in this ad is in English, the background score is beautiful! You need to catch the Arabic ad on MBC to appreciate what I mean!
Monday, November 3, 2008
Halloween at CAC
My son had been counting days to Oct 31st so that he could attend the Halloween bash at CAC. We went through all his dress-up clothes a millon times deciding what he would go dressed as that night. From Dracula to Superman to Batman to Spiderman, we went through them all, only to revisit them again!
But there is something to be said for a child's enthusiasm which is very infectious, and, I could not help but join in the fun. And I absolutely adore the excietment that a child's anticipation brings with it.
As the evening of the 31st drew close, we were all excited, and dressed up to go! My son insisted that I should at least wear black to celebrate Halloween if I was not going tp dress up! So black it was!
To my amazement we had to stand in a long line that stretched from the school gate to the medan before the school! It didn't help that I had two Batmen (my son and his friend) who kept asking me "how long"? As I told them, I wish I knew!
20 mins and we were in! The boys squealed in delight at the pumpkin carriage being driven by skeleton coachmen! They insisted on taking a photograph!
They had to walk through this scary spooky gate, after getting their hands marked off, to enter the “trick or treat” lane!
The school had very effectively used netting to create a lane along the pathways of the school, and, middle / high schoolers sat in every nook and corner doling out candy! The lure of candy was such that even Count Dracula seemed a lot of fun!
But there is something to be said for a child's enthusiasm which is very infectious, and, I could not help but join in the fun. And I absolutely adore the excietment that a child's anticipation brings with it.
As the evening of the 31st drew close, we were all excited, and dressed up to go! My son insisted that I should at least wear black to celebrate Halloween if I was not going tp dress up! So black it was!
To my amazement we had to stand in a long line that stretched from the school gate to the medan before the school! It didn't help that I had two Batmen (my son and his friend) who kept asking me "how long"? As I told them, I wish I knew!
20 mins and we were in! The boys squealed in delight at the pumpkin carriage being driven by skeleton coachmen! They insisted on taking a photograph!
They had to walk through this scary spooky gate, after getting their hands marked off, to enter the “trick or treat” lane!
The school had very effectively used netting to create a lane along the pathways of the school, and, middle / high schoolers sat in every nook and corner doling out candy! The lure of candy was such that even Count Dracula seemed a lot of fun!
The highlight of the evening was clearly the Haunted House for which we stood in line for 45 mins. The middle/high schoolers put up a fantastic show wth lots of blood, gore and scary noises that made the kids squeal in fear and excitement! The boys enjoyed it thoroughly, clutching me for dear life, and, screaming for all they were worth. So enamoured were they of the Haunted House, that they wanted an encore, except that for all the love in the world, I was not about to stand in line for yet another 45 mins.
The field was very festive, and the elementary CAC community had turned out in large numbers to enjoy the event. The field was dotted with stalls for games and the boys ensured that they played every single one of them! Food stalls galore, ensured that their stomachs were full, not to mention the candy in their hands!
All good things must come to an end, so after two hours of noisy fun, we decided to head back home, much to the reluctance of the two Batmen with me!
The field was very festive, and the elementary CAC community had turned out in large numbers to enjoy the event. The field was dotted with stalls for games and the boys ensured that they played every single one of them! Food stalls galore, ensured that their stomachs were full, not to mention the candy in their hands!
All good things must come to an end, so after two hours of noisy fun, we decided to head back home, much to the reluctance of the two Batmen with me!
I believe that we missed a lot of excitement by leaving a tad early, cos some young boys peleted cars with eggs and tomatoes as people were leaving CAC after the party was over! So if you did not manage to get an omlette for breakfast next morning, you know who to blame!
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Of "laid back" drivers!
I had to take a cab back home from school this morning cos hubby has the exclusive use of the car today courtesy the driver being on leave! I could, of course, have walked, but my feet have been killing me after all the walking, dancing and standing that I have subjected them to the last one week.
I am very intrigued with the way Egyptian drivers drive their cars. They recline back, halfway house to lying down. The rare occassions that I do take a cab, I can never sit behind the driver's seat cos its like having the cab driver in my lap, lol!
Now I am reasonably tall and probably the same height as the average Egyptian. Plus I definitely do not qualify for size 0, in fact far from it! I drive with the seat's back rest pretty much straight, so that I can see the road bumps clearly, and, I feel in control of the car.
Even with my driver, I have to tell him to pull his seat to the front and raise the backrest before we can get in behind him. And this is not specific to my driver. All cab drivers or even hired limo drivers, drive with their seats pushed back, and, the back rest almost at a 45 degree angle. I don't know but I find it really difficult and uncomfortable to drive, not to mention that reclining back, I am tempted to doze off!
Am trying to figure out how they manage to drive, but for now it remains an unsolved mystery!
I am very intrigued with the way Egyptian drivers drive their cars. They recline back, halfway house to lying down. The rare occassions that I do take a cab, I can never sit behind the driver's seat cos its like having the cab driver in my lap, lol!
Now I am reasonably tall and probably the same height as the average Egyptian. Plus I definitely do not qualify for size 0, in fact far from it! I drive with the seat's back rest pretty much straight, so that I can see the road bumps clearly, and, I feel in control of the car.
Even with my driver, I have to tell him to pull his seat to the front and raise the backrest before we can get in behind him. And this is not specific to my driver. All cab drivers or even hired limo drivers, drive with their seats pushed back, and, the back rest almost at a 45 degree angle. I don't know but I find it really difficult and uncomfortable to drive, not to mention that reclining back, I am tempted to doze off!
Am trying to figure out how they manage to drive, but for now it remains an unsolved mystery!
Friday, October 17, 2008
Local Musical instrument at the Tannoura performance
I had mentioned the local instruments that the musicians play like rebaba (fiddle), ney (flute), mizmar (shawm), sagat (cymbals), and tabla (doumbek drum). This is what they look like
MIZWAR
TABLA
MIZWAR
SAGAT
TAMBOURINE
NEY
REBABA
TABLA
Tannoura at Al-Ghouri wikala
The one thing that has been on my agenda for the past one year has been to watch the Tannoura performance at Al Ghouri. Unfortunately, not too much information is available on it on the net, and, somehow the things never fell into place.
My husband is travelling, and, I was footloose, so decided this was my moment. The performances are held on Wednesdays and Saturdays so decided on Tuesday morning that I would go. Asked a few like minded friends if they’d like to come watch the show and round it of with dinner at Naquib Mahfouz at the Khan! They all agreed, it sounded like a plan!
Wednesday night found us at the Al Ghouri centre near the Khan, trying to figure out where the show was being held. Finally, a kind soul showed us the way. Al Ghouri centre is on the left of the foot bridge, which by the way is popularly known as the 6 hours bridge, cos it was supposedly erected in 6 hours. At night the resident went to sleep, and, in the morning, hey presto, the bridge was there! I am not kidding. They had pre-fabricated the bridge and then erected it here, my friend explained.
You have to ignore the main building and go to the left of this (if you are facing Al Ghouri) and head towards the Wikala.
You walk past the security to a host of finely made wooden Mashrabiya, overlooking the courtyard as well as the facade of the building. The stone of the walls and the dark brown of aged wood make for a startling combination that looks hauntingly romantic in the subdued hues of the yellow halogen lamps.
I could close my eyes and see the bustling place the wikala must have been with women peering down into the courtyard from their mashrabiya windows as they watched the hustle and bustle of the courtyard, I fancied I could hear the sounds of the traders dismounting with their goods, and, the conversation of the workers as they lugged goods to the storerooms on the 1st and 2nd floor. I could imagine the laughter and yells of young children as they ran around the courtyard, playing their childish games!
Was brought back to reality as we realised that most of the seating was taken! The courtyard had free seating, based on first come first served. The gates are opened at 7.30 p.m. and the show begins at 8.30 p.m. sharp. There are no tickets, and the show is rather popular, the courtyard small, so it fills up very quickly.
The show starts with a set of musicians playing local instruments. The pristine white of their Sufi dresses reminded me the Mawlawia singing praise of the prophet. The musicians all play the local instruments like rebaba (fiddle), ney (flute), mizmar (shawm), sagat (cymbals), and tabla (doumbek drum).
The highlight of the performance was the “jugalbandi” that took place between individual musicians and the rest of the troupe. Each musician steps forward, and plays his instrument which the rest of them attempt to match. It was fantastic!
There was one chap with cymbals / castanets who was grace personified in his movements and the music he made with just the castanets was soothingly gentle and reflected the grace of his movements. And his “jugalbandi” with the rest of the troupe was fascinating. It was amazing that so light an instrument could sound as majestic and strong as a set of drums and tambourines!
This set the mood for what was to come. Accompanied by a singer and the musicians, the Lafife (main dancer) came centrestage. All I can say is that his performance had me captivated for the entire half hour or more that he was twirling. The bright hues of his skirt, the trance like devotion with which he twirled, the white robed Hanatia (junior dancers) who dance tirelessly around him, the soulful melodies that the singer sang so effortlessly, the music rhythms that swung from the slow, the moderate to the accelerated, all added to the impact of the dance.
People say that the secret of the Lafife even with consistent whirls lies in his foot movement. The twirls are broken by the different foot movements which ensures that he does not loose his balance. I do not know whether it’s the footwork or the trance like devotion which keeps them straight on their feet, but whatever it is, its awe inspiring.
Just when we thought the program had ended, the stage was set ablaze by three tannoura dancers in bright hues of red, green, blue, yellow, orange and what have you. If the earlier dance was frenzied but devotional, this was pure entertainment. They twirled, they bent back, lay on the floor, toyed with each other, continuing to twirl the detached skirt. It made me wish that my son was here to see this.
My husband is travelling, and, I was footloose, so decided this was my moment. The performances are held on Wednesdays and Saturdays so decided on Tuesday morning that I would go. Asked a few like minded friends if they’d like to come watch the show and round it of with dinner at Naquib Mahfouz at the Khan! They all agreed, it sounded like a plan!
Wednesday night found us at the Al Ghouri centre near the Khan, trying to figure out where the show was being held. Finally, a kind soul showed us the way. Al Ghouri centre is on the left of the foot bridge, which by the way is popularly known as the 6 hours bridge, cos it was supposedly erected in 6 hours. At night the resident went to sleep, and, in the morning, hey presto, the bridge was there! I am not kidding. They had pre-fabricated the bridge and then erected it here, my friend explained.
You have to ignore the main building and go to the left of this (if you are facing Al Ghouri) and head towards the Wikala.
You walk past the security to a host of finely made wooden Mashrabiya, overlooking the courtyard as well as the facade of the building. The stone of the walls and the dark brown of aged wood make for a startling combination that looks hauntingly romantic in the subdued hues of the yellow halogen lamps.
I could close my eyes and see the bustling place the wikala must have been with women peering down into the courtyard from their mashrabiya windows as they watched the hustle and bustle of the courtyard, I fancied I could hear the sounds of the traders dismounting with their goods, and, the conversation of the workers as they lugged goods to the storerooms on the 1st and 2nd floor. I could imagine the laughter and yells of young children as they ran around the courtyard, playing their childish games!Was brought back to reality as we realised that most of the seating was taken! The courtyard had free seating, based on first come first served. The gates are opened at 7.30 p.m. and the show begins at 8.30 p.m. sharp. There are no tickets, and the show is rather popular, the courtyard small, so it fills up very quickly.
The show starts with a set of musicians playing local instruments. The pristine white of their Sufi dresses reminded me the Mawlawia singing praise of the prophet. The musicians all play the local instruments like rebaba (fiddle), ney (flute), mizmar (shawm), sagat (cymbals), and tabla (doumbek drum).
The highlight of the performance was the “jugalbandi” that took place between individual musicians and the rest of the troupe. Each musician steps forward, and plays his instrument which the rest of them attempt to match. It was fantastic!
There was one chap with cymbals / castanets who was grace personified in his movements and the music he made with just the castanets was soothingly gentle and reflected the grace of his movements. And his “jugalbandi” with the rest of the troupe was fascinating. It was amazing that so light an instrument could sound as majestic and strong as a set of drums and tambourines!
This set the mood for what was to come. Accompanied by a singer and the musicians, the Lafife (main dancer) came centrestage. All I can say is that his performance had me captivated for the entire half hour or more that he was twirling. The bright hues of his skirt, the trance like devotion with which he twirled, the white robed Hanatia (junior dancers) who dance tirelessly around him, the soulful melodies that the singer sang so effortlessly, the music rhythms that swung from the slow, the moderate to the accelerated, all added to the impact of the dance.
People say that the secret of the Lafife even with consistent whirls lies in his foot movement. The twirls are broken by the different foot movements which ensures that he does not loose his balance. I do not know whether it’s the footwork or the trance like devotion which keeps them straight on their feet, but whatever it is, its awe inspiring.Just when we thought the program had ended, the stage was set ablaze by three tannoura dancers in bright hues of red, green, blue, yellow, orange and what have you. If the earlier dance was frenzied but devotional, this was pure entertainment. They twirled, they bent back, lay on the floor, toyed with each other, continuing to twirl the detached skirt. It made me wish that my son was here to see this.
It was a visual delight – myriad colours meshing with a flurry of movements to the recurring beats of drums and some enthusiastic singing! While talking to the manager later, I discovered that these guys are not professionally trained but have inherited this art spontaneously from their forefathers.
The Egyptian Tannoura is different from the Whirling Dervishes of Turkey in that it’s folksier and is much more a popular Egyptian dance rather than a religious one with direct religious rituals, at least that is what was explained to me. This is reinforced by the colourful costumes which reflect the local environment rather than the stark pristine white robes of the Dervishes.
We decided to round the evening off with dinner at Naquib Mahfouz café at the Khan – befitting and appropriate end to an Egyptian evening!
The Egyptian Tannoura is different from the Whirling Dervishes of Turkey in that it’s folksier and is much more a popular Egyptian dance rather than a religious one with direct religious rituals, at least that is what was explained to me. This is reinforced by the colourful costumes which reflect the local environment rather than the stark pristine white robes of the Dervishes.We decided to round the evening off with dinner at Naquib Mahfouz café at the Khan – befitting and appropriate end to an Egyptian evening!
Monday, October 6, 2008
A day out on the Red Sea
One of the friends, with whom we were holidaying, lives and works in Sharm, making him a native, and, trust me, a city through the eyes of someone who is local, is hugely different from what you and I would see as a tourist..and he is exceptional, in terms of his knowledge of what to do, knowing what would appeal to us and especially in his organisation.
Out of the days that we spent there, he had asked us to keep one day aside for a trip out to the Red Sea. We left around 8.30 - 9.00 a.m. in the morning to the jetty where you board the boats going out to sea, carrying our sunblocks, our glares & caps (it was really hot), and, our beach towels. You can't park close to the beach as that area is reserved for tourist buses etc, so if you're carrying heavy stuff, its best to get dropped off there.
While there are plenty of yatchs that you can hop on to, we hired a yatch exclusively for us. The yatchs have an enclosed lower deck and an open upper deck where the breeze ensures that you dont feel the heat from the blazing afternoon sun. Before we boarded the yatch, we collected our snorkelling gear, and, duly filled out our names & nationality for records ( er...just in case?).
Our yatch was called Venture, and, was manned by a young, smiling crew. Our guide was an English speaking young chap by the name of Magdy, who had a ready smile, and, lots of enthusiasm! He explained that we would put down anchor at three places, out of which snorkelling would be possible at two. Lunch would be served on board.
Our first stop was near Ras Mohammad. Magdy explained that we all would need to don our snorkelling gear, and jump in quick succession, and, most importantly stay together, so that we dont leave anyone behind. Even the ones who could not swim could snorkel by using life jackets. He warned us that where we made the jump, the water would be deep, but as we swam towards the coral, it would become shallow as the coral covered the floor of the ocean. We would need to swim very slilently without too much motion, lest we scared the fish away.
While I have been to beaches and ventured out into the sea, have never dived into the water in the middle of the sea when you know that the bottom is some 40-50 feet away, and, I must admit, as I sat at the edge of the boat, ready to jump in, for a moment had a twinge of unease. But then the water was rushing up to meet me, and there was no room for any thoughts other than looking out for our guide and the group. We swam towards the coral and as I dipped my head into the water, I must confess, I have never seen anything so breathtaking! The coral is alive here, and, the myriad shapes and colours leave you spellbound. There were some that looked like splayed laced fingers from the palm, some like the brain, yet others reminded me of cacti. There are some that look like stars, elkhorns and pillars and seem to be hard, strongly embeded on the sea floor. There are others that look like fans or rods, seem soft and sway gently in the water.
And the fish! Schools of brightly coloured fish swam around us, completely oblivious of our presence. There were two zebra striped fish who swam over and under my arms, and, around my head, probably trying to figure who this giant creature was! Another stretch, I swam alongside a school of blue and lime green fish, who seem quite content to give me company. Clearly I passed muster!
Out of the days that we spent there, he had asked us to keep one day aside for a trip out to the Red Sea. We left around 8.30 - 9.00 a.m. in the morning to the jetty where you board the boats going out to sea, carrying our sunblocks, our glares & caps (it was really hot), and, our beach towels. You can't park close to the beach as that area is reserved for tourist buses etc, so if you're carrying heavy stuff, its best to get dropped off there.
While there are plenty of yatchs that you can hop on to, we hired a yatch exclusively for us. The yatchs have an enclosed lower deck and an open upper deck where the breeze ensures that you dont feel the heat from the blazing afternoon sun. Before we boarded the yatch, we collected our snorkelling gear, and, duly filled out our names & nationality for records ( er...just in case?).
Our yatch was called Venture, and, was manned by a young, smiling crew. Our guide was an English speaking young chap by the name of Magdy, who had a ready smile, and, lots of enthusiasm! He explained that we would put down anchor at three places, out of which snorkelling would be possible at two. Lunch would be served on board.
Our first stop was near Ras Mohammad. Magdy explained that we all would need to don our snorkelling gear, and jump in quick succession, and, most importantly stay together, so that we dont leave anyone behind. Even the ones who could not swim could snorkel by using life jackets. He warned us that where we made the jump, the water would be deep, but as we swam towards the coral, it would become shallow as the coral covered the floor of the ocean. We would need to swim very slilently without too much motion, lest we scared the fish away.
While I have been to beaches and ventured out into the sea, have never dived into the water in the middle of the sea when you know that the bottom is some 40-50 feet away, and, I must admit, as I sat at the edge of the boat, ready to jump in, for a moment had a twinge of unease. But then the water was rushing up to meet me, and there was no room for any thoughts other than looking out for our guide and the group. We swam towards the coral and as I dipped my head into the water, I must confess, I have never seen anything so breathtaking! The coral is alive here, and, the myriad shapes and colours leave you spellbound. There were some that looked like splayed laced fingers from the palm, some like the brain, yet others reminded me of cacti. There are some that look like stars, elkhorns and pillars and seem to be hard, strongly embeded on the sea floor. There are others that look like fans or rods, seem soft and sway gently in the water.
And the fish! Schools of brightly coloured fish swam around us, completely oblivious of our presence. There were two zebra striped fish who swam over and under my arms, and, around my head, probably trying to figure who this giant creature was! Another stretch, I swam alongside a school of blue and lime green fish, who seem quite content to give me company. Clearly I passed muster!
The fascinating part about snorkelling here was that the coral reef is omnipresent on one side right upto to the shore and then there is a sudden drop to the depths of the sea, and the marine life at the edge is just gorgeous!
The photographs are not mine, since I ommitted to carry an underwater camera, but are quite representative of what we saw.
I was told that these are the nicest spots for snorkelling in Sharm el Sheikh:
a/ Ras Mohammed National Park. Virtually every hotel, resort, diving centre and watersports centre offer excursions to this marine paradise. The Park has a couple of beaches where snorkelling is easy, such as Marsa Bareika, and some off shore reefs reachable with snorkelling or diving boats.
b/ Tiran Island, a favourite destination for full day snorkelling trips, with a wealth of corals and underwater fauna.
c/ Ras Umm Sid, with its walls covered with awesome gigantic gorgonians, is another famous diving site, and it is accessible from land via the private beach of the restaurant El Fanar.
Our second stop was a lagoon in the middle of the sea with white sand that felt like powder under my feet, and crystalline turquoise water. We jumped into the sea and then swam to the lagoon, including my 7 year old who can just about float. But it seemed criminal not to take him ashore since he loves the sand and the water. But I made the mistake of jumping into the water with my eyes open and without swimming goggles. As I surfaced from under the water, my eyes were burning and my lens had popped out. It caught me by surprise cos this has never happened in a swimming pool - guess has something to do with the difference in water pressure. So, if you wear lenses, and, are diving, do wear your eyewear.
After frolicking on the finger of sand, we swam back to a local feast. There were 5 different kinds of salads for the vegetarians including a delicious dish of fried aubergines. Fish, caught by the boys earlier in the day, and, fried chicken graced the table along with some yummy sticky rice, spaghetti with tomato sauce and a local version of potato lyonnais with some baladi aesh! The meal was delicious especially after having been in the water for so long.
After this, we dropped anchor at another spot for snorkelling, though this was not as good as the one at Ras Mohammad. Some of us swam in the water while a few others decided to snorkel. I was very proud of my intrepid 7 year old, who despite not knowing how to swim, wore a life jacket and jumped into the deep blue sea, and, had great fun!
As we sailed back to the pier, after having spent a lovely day out at the sea, I think I will, forever, remember Sharm by this day!
Back from my Eid break
Just came back from 4 glorious days at Sharm! Had planned to descend on Athens, but decided to go to Sharm instead with some friends, and, I am so glad that I did!
Had a fabulous holiday but just a few random thoughts....
a/its much hotter in Sharm than in Cairo, yup I've always known it but you are never prepared for the difference
b/ given that its a 6 hour drive, why aren't there any decent places to stop and eat? My young son has a very clear agenda, mom, why are there no McDonalds & Pizza Huts? I dont know! Forget about the chains, but I am not too impressed with what is there, and, I am the last person to be fussy!
c/ Forget the eateries, why aren't there really clean toilets on the way? Dont get me wrong, there are decent places to stop but the toilets are invariably dirty. I would be happy to pay even LE5/10 for a clean toilet!
d/ the simplicity and the friendliness of the people en route never ceases to amaze me...and this time, given the holiday spirit, there was general bonhomie all around...I walked away with a smile, and a lilt, from the small restaurant where I had stopped to buy some water.
e/ the road has been repaired and redone in many stretches making it a pleasure to drive on! We did the journey to Sharm in a little under 5 hours (including stops) without panicking over the speed
f/ the journey remains as fascinating as ever...and the repaired road looks like a majestic black snake slithering between the dark, brooding , brown mountains which some artist has painted on the blue canvas of the sky
g/ the different hues of blue of the sea as it plays hide and seek along the drive are as fascinating as ever
h/ the atmosphere of Sharm is as charming, exciting and laid back as ever...now I know why people keep going back to Sharm. This was my third trip!
Had a fabulous holiday but just a few random thoughts....
a/its much hotter in Sharm than in Cairo, yup I've always known it but you are never prepared for the difference
b/ given that its a 6 hour drive, why aren't there any decent places to stop and eat? My young son has a very clear agenda, mom, why are there no McDonalds & Pizza Huts? I dont know! Forget about the chains, but I am not too impressed with what is there, and, I am the last person to be fussy!
c/ Forget the eateries, why aren't there really clean toilets on the way? Dont get me wrong, there are decent places to stop but the toilets are invariably dirty. I would be happy to pay even LE5/10 for a clean toilet!
d/ the simplicity and the friendliness of the people en route never ceases to amaze me...and this time, given the holiday spirit, there was general bonhomie all around...I walked away with a smile, and a lilt, from the small restaurant where I had stopped to buy some water.
e/ the road has been repaired and redone in many stretches making it a pleasure to drive on! We did the journey to Sharm in a little under 5 hours (including stops) without panicking over the speed
f/ the journey remains as fascinating as ever...and the repaired road looks like a majestic black snake slithering between the dark, brooding , brown mountains which some artist has painted on the blue canvas of the sky
g/ the different hues of blue of the sea as it plays hide and seek along the drive are as fascinating as ever
h/ the atmosphere of Sharm is as charming, exciting and laid back as ever...now I know why people keep going back to Sharm. This was my third trip!
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
What's in a name?
I buy flowers regularly from the florist in front of Maadi Grand Mall, but these are usually rushed trips. Today, caught in the pre-Iftaar, get-home-quicky traffic jam just in front of the florist, I finally noticed the name board, and, I must admit I was stumped.
The name of the florist is Flowers Blouse. Now I have seen many things which are funny simply because they are misspelt, and, while they make me smile, I can appreciate the fact that English is a foreign language so the attempt is a commendable one, but Flower Blouse?
Flowers and blouse? Is there a related French word? Dont know! I have tried very hard, but am completely unable to understand the genesis of this one! Till I do, a heartfelt thanks to the florist for bringing a smile to my face while I braved the afternoon traffic jam!
The name of the florist is Flowers Blouse. Now I have seen many things which are funny simply because they are misspelt, and, while they make me smile, I can appreciate the fact that English is a foreign language so the attempt is a commendable one, but Flower Blouse?
Flowers and blouse? Is there a related French word? Dont know! I have tried very hard, but am completely unable to understand the genesis of this one! Till I do, a heartfelt thanks to the florist for bringing a smile to my face while I braved the afternoon traffic jam!
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Zee Aflam - Hindi movies!
The first thing that strikes you, being an Indian, when you get to Cairo, is the average Egyptian's passion for Indian movies. Not to mention Egypt's national obsession for India's aging superstar - Amitabh Bachhan!
In our first month in Cairo, we would be very amused by cries of Hindi? India? Amitabh Bachhan? Vendors, passer-byes & shopkeepers, would want to know if we knew Amiabh Bachhan! I had guys in Khan recounting Hindi movies which I had probably seen when I was 10 or 11....
On querying, I was informed that Hindi movies were banned in Egypt for the last many years. Banned? I was a little puzzled till one of my Egyptian friends explained that courtesy the Indian movie mania that had the Egypians in a full Nelson at all times, the government had to ban movies to protect the local film industry!
It was only last year that a Hindi movie was released after many years in theatres, and no prizes for guessing whose movie it was! Amitabh Bachhan, of course!
I remember going to see the premier,and being completely astounded at the cat calls, whistles, clapping, hysteria, yelling and screaming with which his entry on the screen was greeted. That kind of explained a lot of things, and, made me a lot more tolerant the next time I was accosted by cries of Amitabh Bachhan!
Zeroing in on this craze for Hindi movies, Zee Tv, one of the big television houses in India, has launched a new free to air 24 hour television channel Zee Aflam. Available on Nilesat, the channel is the first of its kind in the region and features Hindi films that are subtitled and adapted specially for Arab family viewing.
The ads on the channel are in Arabic and have Arabic versions of popular Hindi movie songs and are absolutely delightful.. see an ad below...
The films have been edited down to a more appealing two hour format suitable for local viewing. From my husband's colleagues and my Egyptian friends I believe that in Cairo at least, the channel is a big hit..esp during Ramadan where families sit down after Iftaar to watch yet another Bollywood flick! Check out the ad below...
The channel telecasts movies under 4 categories:
Romantic movies (Al Film Al Romansy) come under the heading From the Heart to the Heart (Min Al Qalb Ela Al Qalb) and are screened every Wednesday at 22:00 hours (KSA) 23:30 hours UAE.
The second category features the films of Amitabh Bachchan, the biggest movie star of the millennium, and is headed host Amitabh as your Guest (Khali Amitabh Daifak). The films include a collection of his all time greats as well as his current worldwide hits. Screening times are every Thursday at 19:30 KSA 20:30 UAE.
Friday is family movie time (Film Al Juma’a Al Aeli) when Zee Aflam presents its Friday for Family Gathering (Al Juma’a Iljam’ah) program of comedy, drama and wholesome entertainment that enriches the family movie watching experience. Friday viewing times are 22:00 KSA 23:00 UAE.
Category four, The Best of Bollywood (Rawa’ea Bollywood), features world famous movies under the heading This is the Best (Wala Arwa’a) and includes all time famous hits starring the biggest names in Hindi cinema. The Best of Bollywood can be seen every Saturday at 19:30 KSA 20:30 UAE.
So for all those Indians who do not have Pehla, and, long for a slice of home, or those who would like to see what Bollywood churns out in such large numbers, you can search Nilesat for Zee Aflam, sit back, relax and enjoy the movies!!
In our first month in Cairo, we would be very amused by cries of Hindi? India? Amitabh Bachhan? Vendors, passer-byes & shopkeepers, would want to know if we knew Amiabh Bachhan! I had guys in Khan recounting Hindi movies which I had probably seen when I was 10 or 11....
On querying, I was informed that Hindi movies were banned in Egypt for the last many years. Banned? I was a little puzzled till one of my Egyptian friends explained that courtesy the Indian movie mania that had the Egypians in a full Nelson at all times, the government had to ban movies to protect the local film industry!
It was only last year that a Hindi movie was released after many years in theatres, and no prizes for guessing whose movie it was! Amitabh Bachhan, of course!
I remember going to see the premier,and being completely astounded at the cat calls, whistles, clapping, hysteria, yelling and screaming with which his entry on the screen was greeted. That kind of explained a lot of things, and, made me a lot more tolerant the next time I was accosted by cries of Amitabh Bachhan!
Zeroing in on this craze for Hindi movies, Zee Tv, one of the big television houses in India, has launched a new free to air 24 hour television channel Zee Aflam. Available on Nilesat, the channel is the first of its kind in the region and features Hindi films that are subtitled and adapted specially for Arab family viewing.
The ads on the channel are in Arabic and have Arabic versions of popular Hindi movie songs and are absolutely delightful.. see an ad below...
The films have been edited down to a more appealing two hour format suitable for local viewing. From my husband's colleagues and my Egyptian friends I believe that in Cairo at least, the channel is a big hit..esp during Ramadan where families sit down after Iftaar to watch yet another Bollywood flick! Check out the ad below...
The channel telecasts movies under 4 categories:
Romantic movies (Al Film Al Romansy) come under the heading From the Heart to the Heart (Min Al Qalb Ela Al Qalb) and are screened every Wednesday at 22:00 hours (KSA) 23:30 hours UAE.
The second category features the films of Amitabh Bachchan, the biggest movie star of the millennium, and is headed host Amitabh as your Guest (Khali Amitabh Daifak). The films include a collection of his all time greats as well as his current worldwide hits. Screening times are every Thursday at 19:30 KSA 20:30 UAE.
Friday is family movie time (Film Al Juma’a Al Aeli) when Zee Aflam presents its Friday for Family Gathering (Al Juma’a Iljam’ah) program of comedy, drama and wholesome entertainment that enriches the family movie watching experience. Friday viewing times are 22:00 KSA 23:00 UAE.
Category four, The Best of Bollywood (Rawa’ea Bollywood), features world famous movies under the heading This is the Best (Wala Arwa’a) and includes all time famous hits starring the biggest names in Hindi cinema. The Best of Bollywood can be seen every Saturday at 19:30 KSA 20:30 UAE.
So for all those Indians who do not have Pehla, and, long for a slice of home, or those who would like to see what Bollywood churns out in such large numbers, you can search Nilesat for Zee Aflam, sit back, relax and enjoy the movies!!
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
DNA Art
If you find original art too expensive for your wallet or are simply tired of seeing regular art on your walls, there is a new artist on the block!
Nazin Ahmed and Adrian Salamunovic founded DNA 11 to create artwork that shows off your unique character : a print of your genome on canvas. Simply submit a saliva sample (in a via supplied by them) for lab analysis and the results are made into a wall display!!
So the next peiece of your art could well be the DNA structure of your saliva, right up there on your wall!
Or better still a Kiss Potrait ( this I might still understand)
or even a Fingerprint Potrait (this one actually looks nice)
I must admit I quite liked the fingerprint or kiss potraits, its just the thought of my saliva or any other body fluid adorning my walls that sort of freaks me out! Well, maybe not freak me out, but feel rather strange having strangers trying to understand, appreciate my saliva?
And mind you this all does not come cheap! The Kiss Potraits start at $ 290, Fingerprint potraits start at $190 and Saliva ones at $ 390!!!
The Museum of Modern Art features DNA 11 art in their exclusive museum stores, both in New York and Tokyo. You can check them out at their website http://www.dna11.com/
Nazin Ahmed and Adrian Salamunovic founded DNA 11 to create artwork that shows off your unique character : a print of your genome on canvas. Simply submit a saliva sample (in a via supplied by them) for lab analysis and the results are made into a wall display!!
So the next peiece of your art could well be the DNA structure of your saliva, right up there on your wall!
Or better still a Kiss Potrait ( this I might still understand)
or even a Fingerprint Potrait (this one actually looks nice)
I must admit I quite liked the fingerprint or kiss potraits, its just the thought of my saliva or any other body fluid adorning my walls that sort of freaks me out! Well, maybe not freak me out, but feel rather strange having strangers trying to understand, appreciate my saliva?And mind you this all does not come cheap! The Kiss Potraits start at $ 290, Fingerprint potraits start at $190 and Saliva ones at $ 390!!!
The Museum of Modern Art features DNA 11 art in their exclusive museum stores, both in New York and Tokyo. You can check them out at their website http://www.dna11.com/
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Indiana Jones, coffee, chips and more!!
Went to see Indiana Jones at Bandar. While its very convinient, there is something about Bandar which is not quite right but I can't put my finger to it. Or maybe it's just my imagination? But who cares? Its there, screens English movies and is my favourite place to go see kiddie movies. Yeah, that's where I head everytime son wants to see a movie.
However, this time it was to see Indiana Jones though we took my son along.
Given that Indiana Jones is directed by Spielberg, coupled with the fact that I have wonderful memories of the earlier three, I had great expectations from this one. I guess at some level I expecetd to re-live my earlier memories through this one, but it was a bit dissapointing. Harrison Ford, much as I still love his sardonic smile, looks every bit of his 65 years and his whip doesn't crack as sharply as it did many years ago. The story is long winded and stretched and at times a little disjointed. I suspect Spielberg wanted the movie to be old fashioned and much in the same style as the earlier movies, and, to that extent he's succeeded.
My enjoyment of the movie was not enhanced by the numerous demands for coffee, soft drinks, chips and popcorn placed on me!. Mommy, why do movie halls in Maadi only stock popcorn and chips and some chocolates? Why not burgers, hamburgers, nachos with cheese, sandwiches etc? Difficult to explain to my 7 year old hungry son "they're like this only!!"
Given these endless "tiffin" breaks, the sense of the movie being disjointed was wonderfully enhanced. Didn't get to see the end either cos my son decided that he definately wanted to check out the interiors of the public restrooms. I am still trying to decide whether the end is worth sitting through the movie again, though if I be honest, it did rekindle some wonderful memories...methinks, maybe, just maybe I might go see it agian, and, this time without interruptions...
I think the person who enjoyed it the most was my son. He now wants to watch the earlier 3 movies - now that's something I'd be happy to do with him!!
However, this time it was to see Indiana Jones though we took my son along.
Given that Indiana Jones is directed by Spielberg, coupled with the fact that I have wonderful memories of the earlier three, I had great expectations from this one. I guess at some level I expecetd to re-live my earlier memories through this one, but it was a bit dissapointing. Harrison Ford, much as I still love his sardonic smile, looks every bit of his 65 years and his whip doesn't crack as sharply as it did many years ago. The story is long winded and stretched and at times a little disjointed. I suspect Spielberg wanted the movie to be old fashioned and much in the same style as the earlier movies, and, to that extent he's succeeded.
My enjoyment of the movie was not enhanced by the numerous demands for coffee, soft drinks, chips and popcorn placed on me!. Mommy, why do movie halls in Maadi only stock popcorn and chips and some chocolates? Why not burgers, hamburgers, nachos with cheese, sandwiches etc? Difficult to explain to my 7 year old hungry son "they're like this only!!"Given these endless "tiffin" breaks, the sense of the movie being disjointed was wonderfully enhanced. Didn't get to see the end either cos my son decided that he definately wanted to check out the interiors of the public restrooms. I am still trying to decide whether the end is worth sitting through the movie again, though if I be honest, it did rekindle some wonderful memories...methinks, maybe, just maybe I might go see it agian, and, this time without interruptions...
I think the person who enjoyed it the most was my son. He now wants to watch the earlier 3 movies - now that's something I'd be happy to do with him!!
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Budha Bar!
Having spent most of my time visiting monuments, mosques etc, decided it was time to let down my hair (figuratively and literally speaking) and go shake a leg at a nice night spot.
Had been hearing about the Budha Bar for a while, so decided that come Friday evening, that's where we would head!! The Buddha Bar was started by a Raymond Visan in Paris, and later co-owned by his current partner Gerard Guez. The bar are dominated by a large statue of Buddha Buddha Bar has also opened venues in Dubai, Beirut and Cairo. Smaller versions named Little Buddha Bar are located in Las Vegas, Vienna, Hurghada and Sharm El-Sheikh. The Buddha Bar originally became popular because of the DJs choice of avant-garde "Lounge" and "Chill Out" genre's of music. Compilation CDs of similar music are released under the Buddha Bar series.
Egypt has three Budha Bars - one at Sharm-el-Sheikh, one at Hurgada and the third in Cairo. The Cairo one is located in the Sofitel Geziera on the banks of the Nile. The way it is designed, the Grand Mezzanine houses the bar, while you have to troop down the staircase to the dining area.
Being new to the Cairo night scene, we of course reached much too early. While 11 o'clock may not be early by many standards, it certainly is by Cairenes' yardstick. The bar was not completely full, they had some lounge music playing, and the dinner place downstairs looked full! Though I suspect, even for dinner, it was probably the expat population / hotel guests. No Egyptian worth his salt, would be caught dead having dinner at 11 o'clock, that too on Friday night!!
We ordered drinks which included a strawberry magherita. My friend almost ordered an additional shot to add to her maargherita to get a taste of the alcohol that she was supposed to have ordered. Surprise, surprise, the glass had sugar instead of salt lining the rim of the glass ( I thought that was carrying the Egyptian weakness for sugar too far!). Other than that excitement, our drinks were fine, the juices fresh and undiluted, the lighting appropriately dim and the music very lounge...
After a while, we moved down for dinner. As you walk down the steps, a huge statue of Budha greets you. We were ushered to a table right by the window which gives you the most gorgeous view of the Nile, as you overlook the palms in the hotel courtyard. Looking out from our vantage point, you could be forgiven for believing for an instant that you are in the Carribean instead.
The menu is predominantly sea-food (heavens help my poor vegetarian stomach!) but the desserts sounded absolutely delicious!
As we waited for our food to arrive, we suddenly realised that conversation was begining to prove to be a tad difficult. The music had suddenly become a lot more hip hop and loud! My oh my, what great music - I swear I have not heard such fantastic Arabic music before. Maybe it was just the remixing, maybe the atmosphere or maybe the drinks, but the music was fabulous. A mix of English, Spannish, Arabic, the place just rocked.
We finally left around 1.30 am (still very early by Cairo standards) promising to return very soon, and this time not before midnight!
Edit: 18 Mar 08: Went to Budha Bar again last night, around 11.30 pm. For a Monday night, it was decently populated but the buzz of a Thursday or Friday night is missing. So it would appear that even the Cairenes take a break from partying late, begining of the week!!
Had been hearing about the Budha Bar for a while, so decided that come Friday evening, that's where we would head!! The Buddha Bar was started by a Raymond Visan in Paris, and later co-owned by his current partner Gerard Guez. The bar are dominated by a large statue of Buddha Buddha Bar has also opened venues in Dubai, Beirut and Cairo. Smaller versions named Little Buddha Bar are located in Las Vegas, Vienna, Hurghada and Sharm El-Sheikh. The Buddha Bar originally became popular because of the DJs choice of avant-garde "Lounge" and "Chill Out" genre's of music. Compilation CDs of similar music are released under the Buddha Bar series.
Egypt has three Budha Bars - one at Sharm-el-Sheikh, one at Hurgada and the third in Cairo. The Cairo one is located in the Sofitel Geziera on the banks of the Nile. The way it is designed, the Grand Mezzanine houses the bar, while you have to troop down the staircase to the dining area.
Being new to the Cairo night scene, we of course reached much too early. While 11 o'clock may not be early by many standards, it certainly is by Cairenes' yardstick. The bar was not completely full, they had some lounge music playing, and the dinner place downstairs looked full! Though I suspect, even for dinner, it was probably the expat population / hotel guests. No Egyptian worth his salt, would be caught dead having dinner at 11 o'clock, that too on Friday night!!
We ordered drinks which included a strawberry magherita. My friend almost ordered an additional shot to add to her maargherita to get a taste of the alcohol that she was supposed to have ordered. Surprise, surprise, the glass had sugar instead of salt lining the rim of the glass ( I thought that was carrying the Egyptian weakness for sugar too far!). Other than that excitement, our drinks were fine, the juices fresh and undiluted, the lighting appropriately dim and the music very lounge...
After a while, we moved down for dinner. As you walk down the steps, a huge statue of Budha greets you. We were ushered to a table right by the window which gives you the most gorgeous view of the Nile, as you overlook the palms in the hotel courtyard. Looking out from our vantage point, you could be forgiven for believing for an instant that you are in the Carribean instead.
The menu is predominantly sea-food (heavens help my poor vegetarian stomach!) but the desserts sounded absolutely delicious!
As we waited for our food to arrive, we suddenly realised that conversation was begining to prove to be a tad difficult. The music had suddenly become a lot more hip hop and loud! My oh my, what great music - I swear I have not heard such fantastic Arabic music before. Maybe it was just the remixing, maybe the atmosphere or maybe the drinks, but the music was fabulous. A mix of English, Spannish, Arabic, the place just rocked.
We finally left around 1.30 am (still very early by Cairo standards) promising to return very soon, and this time not before midnight!
Edit: 18 Mar 08: Went to Budha Bar again last night, around 11.30 pm. For a Monday night, it was decently populated but the buzz of a Thursday or Friday night is missing. So it would appear that even the Cairenes take a break from partying late, begining of the week!!
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